Interviewing a New Vet

Happy Thorsday!

For those of you not following my – Mama’s – blog, on Tuesday, I had quite a shock. Roughly 15 months ago, our fabulous Wondervet and her family moved back to Texas. Luckily, she’d already planned for Sissy and Gretchen’s continued care. Sadly, Dr. M also left that practice… but without notice. So when I called to schedule Sissy’s routine eye pressure check, I was left stammering.

We’re a lot of trouble, but we’re worth it!

No, no one else there could see us. After an awkward end to the call, I texted Wondervet, and when she didn’t reply instantly, I called the eye clinic, well over two hours away.

That’s when I learned that HIPAAlaws apply to pets too. While a little time has given me the chance to appreciate that, I find it a little ridiculous that I can’t know what other vets at the practice we use have patients at the same eye clinic. Luckily, the eye clinic has the most fabulous staff, and they found a way to honor the law AND figure out which of the remaining doctors at our vet’s office are in their database.

Not long after that, Wondervet and I began an afternoon of exchanging texts and crafting a NEW care plan for “her girl”. We’ll see the vet who took her place on Saturday.

Here’s the problem… Our options are severely limited, because Sissy requires an eye pressure check every 6 weeks. The eye clinic sees her every other visit, and our local vet does the in-between checks. So, we need a veterinary practice that has Tonometry capabilities, and that means a vet who does the pressure checks regularly enough to have a good technique. It also means that they must use the Schiotz tonometer, NOT the accupen, because the eye clinic doesn’t feel the pen’s accuracy is … accurate enough.

That’s a problem, because the tonometer of choice isn’t cheap. However, regular readers know glaucoma is only the latest of Sissy’s special needs. Girlfriend also has food allergies and sensistivities out the wazoo… literally. (If you’re new here and don’t get my gentle reference, Sissy’s food allergies play out via anal gland problems.)

That’s a HUGE problem, because while just about any vet will bow to the eye clinic’s demands, I’m not so sure most vets will tolerate my insistance that a woman in Texas who hasn’t touched her favorite patient in 15 months and counting is completely in charge of Sissy’s allergies… and that too is a point of no compromise.

Then, we add in the wee one. Little cutie pie is fit as a fiddle, but she has her own anxiety issues, and that might be where we miss Dr. M the most. (And no, Dr. M isn’t practicing locally at this time.) Dr. M was Wondervet’s mentor, so she totally bought into the admittedly almost unreasonable demands both Wondervet and I have regarding Sissy’s allergies, but she was also PERFECT for Gretchen Greer.

We’re open to advice, crossed paws, good vibes and any other good stuff you care to send our way… as long as you don’t suggest that I’m being ridiculous. See… Wondervet and the amazing folks at the eye clinic think our crazy arrangement is what’s best for Sissy, so I have all the validation I need. Now, I just need to find some nice, smart vet in podunk who is willing to play the role of local vet in our comedy-drama.

From the mom – I didn’t read anything here that sounded one bit unreasonable or insane. There are so many vets out there, who like human doctors, are just 100% percent sure they know the patient better than you do whether it be your pet or you. In a few, very short, months I will be in the same spot where you are now except my vet is by himself so not sure where to go at all plus I have the added
problem of not being able to drive – we either rely on public transpportation (usual) or if my sis is feeling really nice she MIGHT take us. (anyway, I am at work right now – blogger doessn’t work well – we have Internet Explore and it doesn’t support that and this comment form is all screwed up plus this keyboard is supper sensitive so yoou might see extra spaces or letters that I can’t so I’m going to stop for now while my language is still civil – I’ve already done my share of saying a few not so nice words toward this computer) If I caan, I will try to stop in after I get home.
Kim

Finding health care providers who will listen whether for humans or our furry friends is not easy. The ‘father knows best’ mentality of some docs/vets is not easy to take and since we have to pay through the nose for either one–why shouldn’t we be picky? We know what works and doesn’t work for our loved ones, especially, but not limited to, when it comes to things like allergies or fears. Good luck finding a decent vet with the right tools and right attitude.